Single pole double throw quick make and break switch



' Aug. 15, 1933. c. A. HARDAGE SINGLE POLE DOUBLE THROW QUICK MAKE ANDBREAK SWITCH Filed Feb. 18, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 CHARGE LINE- BRT'TERYCLOSED INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Aug. 15, 1933. HARDAGE 1,922,696

SINGLE POLE DOUBLE THROW QUICK MAKE AND BREAK SWITCH Filed Feb. 18, 19515 Sheets-Sheet 2 I NVEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS Aug. 15, 1933. c HARDAGE 1,922,696

SINGLE POLE DOUBLE THROW QUICK MAKE AND BREAK SWITCH Filed Feb 18, 19315 Sheets-Sheet 5 j mafz w ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 15, 1933. c HARDAGE 1,922,696

SINGLE POLE DOUBLE THROW QUICK MAKE] AND BREAK SWITCH 5 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed Feb. 18, 1931 ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 15, c H R G SINGLE POLE DOUBLE THROW QUICK MAKE AND BREAK SWITCHFiled Feb. 18, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 VEN TOR A TTORNEYS Patented Aug.15, 1933 r SINGLE POLE DOUBLE rnnow QUICK MAKE AND BREAK swrrcn ClarenceA. Hardage, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor' to Grouse-Hinds Company,

Syracuse, N. Y., a

Corporation of New York Application February 18, 1931. Serial No.516,594 g 4 Claims.

This invention has for its object, a particularly simple and eiiicientswitch construction, and more particularly what might be called a singlepole, double throw quick make and break, non-inching or snap switch, anda service system in which these switches are usable to great advantage.

' The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinationsand constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanyingdrawings; in which like characters designate corresponding parts in allthe views. l V

Figure 1 is a front elevation of this switch.

Figure 2 is a plan view, the cover and are guiding plate being removed.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional View on line 3-3, Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged, sectional view on line 44, Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional View on ure 4. .3

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating one particular use of thisswitch in a system for charging storage batteries of railway cars.

The switch comprises generally, a a suitable frame or casing, a switchmember and operating means therefor mounted in the casing, the latterhaving a handle located outside the casing, and connections between theoperating means and the switch member to impart to it a snap ornon-inching action.

i 1 designates the casing, which may be of any suitable form, size andconstruction, it being here shown as a box open at its top and bottom.

2 is the switch member, it being mounted to move about an axis betweenthe contacts 3, 4. The axis is, for convenience, considered ashorizontal.

This switch member is mounted at one end upon a rocking support 5mounted in suitable bearings in the housing, the support extending at aright angle to the plane'of movement of the switch member, and locatedin the lower part. of the housing. i

The switch member is provided with sets of laminated contacts 6, '7, andwith auxiliary contacts 8, 9, arranged to engage the contacts 3, 4, 50respectively, in advance of the engaging of the contacts 6, '7, 'withthe contacts 3, 4, and to separate after the breaking of the contacts 6,7, from the contacts 3, 4, in' order to prevent arcing between thelaminated contacts and the contacts 3, 4; There are preferably, aplurality of spring pressed. contacts for each laminated contact,thereline 55, Figthat the contacts 8, 9, still remain in contact with meansbetween the operating member and the being here shown one auxiliarycontact 8 or 9 for each laminated contact 6 or 7. The contacts 8 or 9are yieldable independently of each other, and are provided with arcingcontacting heads 10,

11 respectively. The laminated terminals 6, 7 are beveled at their endsin order to engage correspondingly inclined, or angular surfaces 12 ofthe contacts 3, 4. The contacting heads 10, 11 also coact with inclinedsurfaces 13 of the contacts 3, 4. The surfaces 12, 13 of each contact 3,4, are arranged at an inclined convex or exterior 1 angle.

A block or strip 15 of suitable insulation is embedded on each face 13to separate the face 13 from the face 12. In practice, the contacts 6, 77- carry the usual current for which the switch is designed. The strips15 of insulation are pri-' marily to prevent the arc that'may be formedby the breaking of the contact heads l0, l1; 3, 4, from following on thefaces 12. The laminated terminals 6, 7 are flexed or tensioned whenengaged with the contacts 3, 4. The contacts 9, 10 are also of resilientconstruction, but more flexible than the contacts 6, 7. When the switchmember 2 is shifted, greater 30 tension is momentarily placed upon thecontacts 6, 7, as will be hereinafter explained, and when leaving thecontacts 3,4, this tension aidsin quickly breaking the contact. It is tobe noted the contacting sur aces 13 after the contacts 6, 7 haveseparated from the surfaces 12.

It is now apparent that arcing between the contacts 6, '7; 3, 4, isreduced to a minimum, because the entire circuit is not broken by theseparation of these contacts, but momentarily the circuit is thrown ontothe contacts 8, 9. This sequence of operation is reversed when thecontacts of the switch member 2 are engaging the r contacts 3, 4. Thatis, the contacting heads l0, 11 first engage the surfaces13 completingthe circuit and instantly thereafter, the heavy 1aminated contacts 6,-7,engage the surfaces 12. This construction together with the insulatingstrip between the surfaces 12, 13 prevent any appreciable amount ofarcing between the heavy contacts and thus greatly prolong the life ofthe switch Without periodic repairs. The support 5 is mounted insuitable cone or pivot bearings-l6 provided in the bracket or supportfor the operating mechanism.

The operating mechanism comprises a rocking member 20 having a shaft oraxle21 mounted in a support or bracket 22, and motion transmittingsecured to the bracket 22 angle.

the cam 26 to throw 2 support 5 of the switch member 2. The bracket 22is here shown as detachably mounted on a wall 23 of the casing l andsecured thereto in any suitable manner, as by screws 2a. A handle orcrank 25 is provided on the shaft 21 on the outside of the case or wall23thereof. The handle 25 is removable to prevent unauthorized operationof the switch. The connections between the operating member 29 and theswitch support 5 are shown as coacting V shape wedge members 26 and 27provided respec "vely on the member 20 and the support 5, one of thesewedge members being shiftablc axially against the action of a spring,and one of them being of a less angle than the other.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, the wedge member 26carried by the operating member 20 is shiftable axially and is providedat the end of a plunger slidable in a bore 29 in the operating member29, and is spring pressed byv a spring interposed between a detachableplug 31 at the outer end of the operating member and the head of theplunger 28. The wedge member or cam 27 is shown as of a less angle thanthe wedge member or cam 26, the cam 26 being substantially a rightangle, and the cam 27 an acute The interior of the member 20 forms alubricant receiving chamber which has a duct 32 opening through the apexor wedge or cam 26. A suitable wick is provided with the chamber 29 andextending out through the duct 32 so as to conduct the 'oil or lubricantto the apex of the cam 26 and lubricate the surfaces of both cams 26,27. The general operation of these cams or wedges is substantially likethat shown in my pending application, Sr. No. 507,892 filed January 10,1931.

Referring to Figure 5, movement of the upper end of the operating member20 over to the right, would cause one cam face of the cam 26 to pressonthe apex of the cam 2'7, and the cam 26 to be forced inwardly againstthe action of the spring 30 until the apex of the cam 26 passes over theapex 'of the cam 27, whereupon the spring30 reacts and pushes theplunger 28, and the cam 26 outwardl causing the other face of the cammember 27 over to the right, and thus actuate the switch member 2 with asnap action. The reverse of this operation takes place when the handleand the operating member 20 are thrown in the opposite direction. Themovement of the operating member 20 is limited by a shoulder 35 on therear side thereof, working in a slot 36 in the frame or bracket 22. Thecasing, or the wall 23,'is provided with an arcuate guide 3'? on itsouter side around .the shaft 21 to prevent placing of the operatinghandle 25 on the shaft, except in the position shown in Figure 1. Thebottom of the casing l is open. The casing is mounted'upon a supportingsurface with a" gasket 39 of insulating material interposed between thesupporting surface and the bottom edge of the casing, and. the casingsecured to the supporting surface by any suitable fastening means, as byscrews 38.- The top of the box is closed by a detachable cover plate 40.g The contacts 3, 4 and their binding devices 41, 42, are mounted on apanel 43 of insulation at i l, the panelextending between the operatingmember 20 and the switch member 2 separating one from the other. Aperforated plate 45 of insulating material for quenching any are thatmay occur at the contacts is secured to the upper edge'of the panel 43and overhangs the contacts 3, 4.

46 and 47 are cables or wires connected respectively to the contacts 3,4 and having their other ends connected to suitable terminals in theplug socket or receptacle 60. The switch member 2 with its associatedcontacts 6, 7, 10, 11 is electrically connected to a binding device 50also mounted on the panel 43 and which in turn has connected to it thecable 51. This cable is connected to one side of the source of supplyand has in its circuit a variable resistance R.

Figure 6 presents diagrammatically, one use for which this switch isparticularly adapted. Four switches are shown interconnected to a commonsource of supply. The first switch nearest the source of supply is shownwith the movable switch member 2 in engagement with the contact 3. Anadditional wire or cable 52 is also connected with the contact l and hasits other end connected with the movable switch member 2 in theadjoining switch. It will be observed that in the first switch, a plug62 has been inserted in the receptacle 60 and the battery 61 cut intoseries with the source of supply, the circuit consisting of the wire 51,switch member 2, contact 5, wire 46, through the plug receptacle, plugload circuit carried thereby, such as a storage battery in a vehicle asa railway car, through the other side of the plug, plug receptacle, wire47, thence through the wire 52 to the movable switch mem er in theadjacent switch. As there is no load being taken from this secondswitch, or in other words, as this second switch has its movab e switchmember in engagement with the contact 4, the current passes through theswitch, through the connecting cable 52 to the movable switch member ofthe next switch and so on through the series of the switches, and backthrough the return wire In this particular circuit, a load may beplugged in on any of the plug sockets or receptacles 60. As eachadditional load is plugged in,'the variable resistance is adjusted forthe load and the switchmernber 2 moved out of engagement with thecontact 4 and into engagement with the contact 3. This operation cutsthe plug and its associated load in series with the circuit. In thecircuit above referred to, the practice heretofore consisted in havingthe plug receptacles similar to plug receptacles 60 connected in seriesin a charging circuit. Inserted in these receptacles were shortcircuited or dummy plugs, which consisted simply of a plug with itsterminal short circuited. When it was desired to charge the batteries inthe pullman car, the dummy plug was removed from the receptacle and theplug with the cap connected to the batteries in the car was inserted inthe receptacle. This procedure necessitated the operator going to themain switch board and breaking the entire circuit; otherwise, if thecharging circuit had one or more cars on it, the removal of the dummyplug and the insertion of the line plug would be accompanied by suchheavy arcing that injury to the operator would result. With this method,the charging circuits were continuously interrupted for substantialperiods of time.

i My switch is particularly advantageous for use in such a circuit orsystem in that the changeover in connecting a battery line plug inthefcircult is accompanied by only a momentary break in the circuit. Itdoes not require complete opening of the charging icircuit. While it isparticularly simple and compact in construction, it does provideasolution to a problem such as referred to above, with the unique quickmake and break operating mechanism, and the special provision to reducearcing to a minimum and hence, greatly prolong the life and efficiencyof the switch.

What I claim is:

1. A switch comprising a casing, a rock shaft journalled in the casinghaving one end extending through one side of the casing, a second rockshaft mounted within the casing extending parallel to the first shaftand having secured at one end thereof a movable switch element, motiontransmitting connections between said shafts comprising coacting Vshaped wedge members connected at their bases respectively to theshafts, one of said wedge members being connected rigidly to one of theshafts, and the other resiliently connected to the other shaft, wherebyit has axial movement toward and from the shaft, stationary contactsarranged in the path of the movable switch member, and an operatingmanual connected to the outer end of the said first rock shaft.

2. A switch comprising a casing, stationary contacts mounted in thecasing, and a movable switch member for coacting with the contacts,operating mechanism for shifting the movable switch member from onecontact to another including, a'support detachably secured to one sideof the casing, switch operating mechanism carried by said supportincluding a rock shaft journalled in said support having one endextending through the side wall of the casing, a

second rock shaft also journalled in said support and extending parallelto the said first rock shaft, the movable switch member secured to oneend thereof, motion transmitting connections between the shaftscomprising coacting V-shaped Wedge members, and an operating manualsecured on the outer end of the said first shaft.

3. A switch comprising a casing, stationary contacts mounted within thecasing, and a movable switch member for coacting with the consaid firstrock shaft.

tacts, operating mechanism for shifting the movable switch member fromone contact to the other including, a support detachably secured to oneside of the casing, a rock shaft journalled in said support having oneend extending through theside wall of the casing, a second rock shaftalso journalled in said support and extending parallel to the said firstrock shaft, the movable switch member secured to one end thereof, and .aV shaped wedge member secured near the other end of said shaft with theapex of the V toward the first shaft, the first shaft also having aslidably mounted V shaped wedge member coacting with the wedge member onthe second shaft, said wedge members constituting motion transmittingconnections between the shafts, and an operating manual secured on theouter end of said first shaft.

4. A switch comprising a casing, stationary contacts mounted within thecasing, and a movable switch member for coacting with the contactsrespectively, operating mechanism for shifting the movable switch memberincluding a support detachably secured to one side of the casing andhaving a rock shaft journalled therein with one end extending throughthe side wall of the casing, a second shaft journalled in said supportextending parallel with said first shaft, said movable switch membercarried at one end of the second shaft and the opposite end of the shaftbeing formed with a V shaped wedge member with the apex of the Vextending toward the first shaft, the first shaft being formed with acylinder extending radially from the shaft and having resilientlymounted therewith a plunger, the outer end of the plunger being wedgeshaped, and coacting with the wedge shaped member of the second shaft toconstitute motion transmitting connections between the shafts, and anoperating manual secured to the outer end of the CLARENCE A. HARDAGE.

